“I feel wonderful.” It’s not a lie. I feel sexy and desirable. And as he begins to move his hips, I feel my muscles loosen as I get used to him. And then, he drags against something that puts the zing back into my limbs, and I can’t hold back the cry that slips from my lips.
“El?”
“Don’t stop.” I shift my hips and open my eyes in surprise at the sensations rolling through me. “Oh, my.”
“I take it we’re on to the good part.”
“Oh, it’s good. Yes, it’s quite good.”
“We’re shooting for better than quite good.”
He’s moving a bit faster, but not violently so. Every sensation is new and dazzling. Different from anything I’ve ever experienced.
If each time gets better than this, I might die from having sex.
What a way to go, right?
He takes one of my hands, links our fingers, and pins it above my head. This is different from before. It’s not because he doesn’t want me to touch him.
It’s another way to link us.
And it touches me right down to the bottom of my heart.
“Liam.”
“God, the way you say my name.” He tenses, every muscle tightening, and he groans as he shivers.
He’s panting, kissing my neck, but he’s not moving his hips anymore.
“I’m not sure what happened,” I admit. He chuckles and sighs before kissing my cheek.
“I came. I’m sorry, you say my name in that sexy-as-fuck way, and I can’t control myself.”
“Really?” I’m grinning up at him, ridiculously proud of myself. “Well, that’s lovely.”
“Your prim accent also does things to me,” he says. “And next time, I’ll make it better for you. I promise.”
“It was wonderful this time.”
“We can do better,” he says again. “Thank you for this gift.”
“It’s a gift for both of us, darling.”
Chapter 12
~Liam~
“I have to go off property for a couple of hours.”
Baxter and I are in HQ. It’s been twenty-four hours since I had sex with Ellie, and I’m not sure that I’ve recovered yet.
I know for sure I’ll never get her out of my system. Even if I was with her for fifty years—which I won’t be—it wouldn’t be enough time.
“We have things under control here,” Baxter says. “I’ll let you know if there are any issues, but it’s been nice and quiet since the princess arrived.”
“I know it’s unusual. I’m glad she’s been able to stay on the down-low and avoid the media. I’ll see you soon.”
I didn’t tell Ellie, or anyone else for that matter, where I’m going today. When I got the call this morning from Zack King, asking me to come help him with something at the Lazy K Ranch, I didn’t have to think twice.
I admire Zack, and he’s a soldier. Or a former one, anyway. All he has to do is say the word, and I’ll help him in any way I can.
The drive out to the ranch takes about twenty minutes. Summer is in full bloom here in Northwest Montana, so I roll down the windows and enjoy the warm weather. I don’t know what Zack needs from me today, but maybe it’ll be a good way to get a certain princess off my mind for a little while.
I turn off the highway and onto the driveway for the ranch. Zack gave me instructions to follow the road past the old farmhouse to the house his brother, Josh, built almost a decade ago.
The drive isn’t paved, but it’s well maintained and free from ruts and potholes. I park in front of Josh’s house in time to see Zack’s son, Seth, come out of the house with a black Lab on his heels.
“Hey, Seth. You probably don’t remember me. I’m Liam, an old friend of your dad’s.”
“Oh, hey. Yeah, Dad said you’d be coming over. He and Uncle Josh are inside. You can go on in.”
“You’re not staying?”
He flashes a smile that looks just like his father’s and uncle’s, who happen to be identical twins.
“Nah, I’m interning up in Glacier Park for the summer. I’m getting college credit for it, too.”
“Good for you. Zack mentioned the other night that you’re going into environmental science.”
“That’s right. I’m an outdoorsy kind of guy. Today, I get to hunt for bear scat and figure out what they’re eating.”
“Watch out for the bears while you’re at it.”
Seth nods and smiles down at his dog. “Sorry, Thor. Dogs aren’t allowed to come to work with me.”
Thor rolls onto his back, legs in the air for a good rub. His tongue lolls out of his mouth.
Seth scratches the dog’s belly, then gestures for him to follow me.
“Go on with Liam, boy.”
“Come on.” I pat my leg, and the friendly dog immediately hurries over to me. “I’ll take good care of him.”
“Have a good day. See you around.”
Seth waves and hops into his late-model Ford F150, then takes off down the drive.